Marvin, a 10-month-old basset hound/boxer mix.
september 2017
58
WBM
OOne factor in the number of adoptions is
the unit’s Facebook page, found at Facebook.
com/NHSOAnimalServices. The page, which
has more than 12,500 likes, features photos
of the shelter’s adoptable animals and markets
special fundraising events like the annual Bow
Wow Luau & Cat’s Meow, and Canines &
Couture, a rescue dog fashion show designed
to help raise awareness of puppy mills in North
Carolina.
Reason says social media serves as a type of
public service announcement that helps people
feel more comfortable with stopping in to
see adoptable animals or reporting an issue.
Many come specifically in search of a dog they
saw on Facebook. Wilson notes around 70
people showed up one Saturday morning after
the announcement of available black lab mix
puppies.
While playing with adorable dogs and cats
day-in-and-day-out might sound like a dream
job, Reason says it’s for a purpose.
“Really to do this job, and I speak more for
my team, it’s not for the money,” she says. “It’s
a calling. You have a calling to be here.”
From friendly faces and wagging tails and
purring felines, to former narcotics agents
turned full-time animal lovers, Wilson says
everyone has a hand at making the shelter and
the unit one of the best in the state.
“I am passionate about it, much like my peo-ple,”
he says. “I want the citizens of the county
to know what a great unit we have.”